Slow Down!
A few weeks ago, I made an observation about the new guard rails, along Arapaho Road in Garland. Through not very attractive, it was agreed that their functionality was much more important than their aesthetics. The rails were built to serve as a safety barrier for the adjacent homes, from the speeding traffic. This morning, I made a discovery that illustrates the importance of that functionality.
If you look closely at the top left of this shot, you can see that new guard rail. Unfortunately for this sign, that guard rail falls a bit short. Also, even though I had no way of gauging their speed, those cars were speeding by as I took this shot.
Be Careful Out There
I’d like to think that a little bit of bicycle advocacy and even more awareness will help make the streets safe for cyclists. Sometimes things are out of our control. The following is a story from a fellow cyclist who was caught up in an accident while heading home from the last Bike Friendly Oak Cliff group ride. When it happened, she was legally stopped on a neighborhood street in Richardson.
Here’s her story (holding back on the graphic details):
Hi, I wanted to share a few words about an event that occurred on Sunday afternoon.
I was riding back from the Oak Cliff Ninjas vs. Pirates bike ride when two cars slammed into me. I had left Arapaho Center Station and was at the Coit and Melrose intersection waiting for a green light – I was just sitting on my bike.
A car in the cross-traffic took a sharp, unprotected left turn and a car driving the opposite way struck it. The two cars then slid toward me; slamming into my body and causing me to fly back with them… The incredible part about all of this was I walked away with only scrapes and bruises. After being rushed to the ER and staying for a few hours, I was released… Even my bike was spared major damage.
Because of this event I wanted to stress two points to everyone who bicycles, will, or knows someone who does:
1) Wear a helmet! Simplest rule but I know many disregard it. Many people at the Ninjas vs. Pirates bike ride didn’t wear one. I too wore a costume, but I also wore a helmet. Remember, I was basically a pedestrian who was struck, they say I had a concussion; but nothing more.
2) Continue advocating for car-free and/or car-light lifestyles. Promote alternative forms of transportation as they are safer, healthier, and friendlier for us. What would you want to be on the road: 18 pound aluminum frames or 4,000 pound tanks?-Angelica Huerta
There’s no denying that this was a traumatic experience for Angelica. She was stopped at the wrong place at the wrong time, but fortunately, was able to walk away from it. If anything, this is a good reminder that safety should always be a priority when we ride.
Hopefully, knowing that more of us out of there, drivers will be less willing to take such dangerous chances on the roads we share.
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Bike Friendly Richardson 
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